Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40961985›Full record

ArticleClinical and experimental otorhinolaryngology2026

Efficacy of Montelukast-Antihistamine Combination Therapy Versus Antihistamine Monotherapy in Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ji-Sun Kim, Gulnaz Stybayeva, Se Hwan Hwang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical and experimental otorhinolaryngology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Ji-Sun KimDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Gulnaz StybayevaDepartment of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Se Hwan HwangDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea. yellobird@catholic.ac.kr.

Funding

Ministry of Science and ICTNational Research Foundation of Korea 2022R1F1A1066232
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesAllergic rhinitis (AR) can substantially compromise daily functioning and well-being, and many patients require more than a single agent to obtain satisfactory symptom control. This study examined whether adding montelukast to antihistamine could manage AR symptoms and quality-of-life outcomes effectively.

methodsA review was performed in PubMed, Embase, Medline, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to identify eligible studies reported through April 2025. Eligible studies compared combination therapy with montelukast plus antihistamine against antihistamine monotherapy and reported nasal symptoms or rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) scores. Treatment effects were further examined by antihistamine class.

resultsFifteen studies including 2,882 subjects were analyzed. Combination therapy significantly improved daytime nasal symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD] [95% CI], 0.44 [0.21-0.67]), nighttime nasal symptoms (0.12 [0.01-0.23]), and RQLQ scores (0.14 [0.00-0.27]) versus monotherapy. Individual nasal or ocular symptoms, sneezing, nasal obstruction, and rhinorrhea improved significantly, while nasal itching and ocular symptoms did not. Combinations with desloratadine and levocetirizine showed greater benefits than those with loratadine or fexofenadine.

conclusionMontelukast-antihistamine combination therapy reduced overall symptoms and improved quality of life versus antihistamine monotherapy. The magnitude of benefit appears to vary depending on the specific antihistamine used, highlighting the possible value of individualized treatment strategies in the treatments of AR.

Indexed as

Allergic RhinitisDrug CombinationsHistamine AntagonistsMeta-AnalysisMontelukast

Identifiers

PMID40961985
PMCPMC13256472

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.